CYA - Study in Greece (Semester Program)

My experience at CYA was nothing short of INCREDIBLE. I studied abroad in Fall of 2023, which was during my senior year of college. I cannot emphasize enough how amazing my time in Athens was. CYA does a great job of creating a support system to make the transition to Athens as smooth as possible and set you up for success. From the very start, it was super easy to meet people and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture and get to know the city better. The field studies were also really incredible - we went to Crete and the Peloponnese, both of which were phenomenal. If you are considering CYA, absolutely go for it! It was the best semester abroad I could have possibly imagined.

Originally, I was hesitant to study abroad - I am so grateful I did. CYA was the only program that I believed would give me freedom, be close to ruins, and help me explore Greece. With the mandatory field studies, I was able to see Southern Greece, Northern Greece, and the island of Crete. Along with the optional studies, I was able to visit another Greek island and Rome, Italy. The convenience of transportation, accommodations, and an expert professor taken care of, I was truly able to soak in the experience! The accessibility of the Port of Piraeus and the Athens Airport made it easy to travel to the Greek islands and the EU. The town of Pangrati (in Athens) has the best local cafes, bars, and tavernas. Only a twenty minute walk to the Acropolis and Plaka - being able to steer clear of tourists. I loved this experience!

Was the highlight of my life truly. Getting to experience new countries and Greece itself has been life-changing. I have tried new foods, met new people, and learned more about the Greek language and my heritage. We went to various places in Greece like the Peloponnese, Crete, Delphi, Meteora, etc. Food like moussaka and gyros are definitely worth a try if you haven't had them. Food is inexpensive. There is a farmers market every Friday in Pangrati and you can get some good fruit/vegetables/items for cheap prices. I would recommend CYA and Athens in general to anyone that I can because it really is an amazing city.

CYA is an amazing way to experience a new culture, society, and way of living. The program is extremely well designed, with numerous field trips allowing for a truly immersive, educational experience. The professors were helpful and all the other students were eager to be there. I recommend this to anyone hoping to study abroad, especially if you are unsure where to go! CYA not only shows students Greece, but offers the flexibility for you to schedule your own weekend travel around Europe which I greatly enjoyed.

I was unsure about studying abroad before coming to Greece. CYA gives you lots of information before coming to make the transition much easier. You then go on a trip to Delphi where you get to see lots of Greece and meet a lot of people before the stresses of classes start. The classes are very interesting and the other school trips throughout the semester are super fun. My living situation was great and my roomates became some of my best friends. Any questions you have throughout the year CYA is happy to answer and I found all the teachers and staff to be super nice.

Studying abroad with CYA in Athens was one of the best decisions of my life! I had a transformative experience and credit my positive abroad time to the students, staff, and administration at CYA. Even though you are immersed in an entirely new country, CYA makes the process seamless through pre-departure meetings and in-depth assistance during our first weeks in Athens. My classes were engaging and thorough with many professors acting as tour guides and mentors throughout our time in Pangrati. The living situation made it feel like a home away from home with kind, compatible roommates who remain close friends of mine. I even had the opportunity to intern and work in Athens in my area of study. CYA brings out the best parts of Athens by highlighting phenomenal dining, interesting cultural events, and even travel options in and outside of Greece. I am so grateful to have chosen CYA and would recommend it to anyone interested in exploring Greece on a deeper level.

My time in Athens was perhaps one of the most memorable moments in my academic career. I am a history major, and for me, I spent my time learning through books and videos at my home institute. CYA though allowed me to get hands-on learning, take my knowledge, and applied it to the field. I got to live a short walk away from the Parthenon, get the chance to climb up the steps to Delphi that famous Greek legends walked upon, and work with human bronze age remains. If you're history.archaeology/classics major, CYA is the way to go. If you're not into the history stuff like me, CYA offers a rich assortment of experiences, cultural activities, and wide education that can be fitted to almost any major. But outside of education, you're living in one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world. The people there are enthusiastic, the streets are filled with activity and a walk outside of your apartment always offers adventure. I left this program a changed person, and now all my days are filled with daydreaming about going back to the city of Athens, as I miss the professors, my friends, and the daily life there. Any study abroad can offer you excitement and a great experience, but CYA offers a life-changing experience you'll never forget.

Greece is a really unique and fun place to study abroad. Because of it's location in Southeast Europe, there's a lot of opportunities to travel to "less traditional" locations like Egypt, Israel, Hungary, and Turkey which I enjoyed. The academics were less rigorous than my courses at home, but I know Classics and more Advanced Greek courses had a higher workload. CYA also has 3 field study trips during the semester that are really fun! They serve as a good way to spend time with your friends and explore different parts of Greece while learning about professor's fields of study.